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The Founder of Diabolism
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Web Novel (CN)
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Rating(4.7 / 5.0, 3939 votes)
5    86% (3393 votes)
4    8% (308 votes)
3    2% (84 votes)
2    1% (43 votes)
1    3% (111 votes)
Language
Support Book (#ad)
Author(s)
One entry per line
Artist(s)
One entry per line
N/A
Year
Example: 2012
2015
Status in COO
Status in Country of Origin. One entry per line
113 Chapters + 13 Extras (Completed)
Licensed
Yes
Completely Translated
Original Publisher
One entry per line
English Publisher
One entry per line
Release Frequency
Every 83.7 Day(s)
Activity Stats
[Graph]
Weekly Rank: #733
Monthly Rank: #274
All Time Rank: #214
Reading List
[Graph]
On 28106 Reading Lists
Monthly Rank: #9823
All Time Rank: #10

Description

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As the grandmaster of demonic cultivation, Wei Wuxian roamed the world, hated by millions for committing acts of necromancy. Overthrown by the powerful clans he had attempted to subjugate, Wei Wuxian is supposedly killed by his shidi in order to save the cultivation world.

Restored to life in the body of Mo Xuanyu, the local cut-sleeve lunatic, in order to exact revenge on his abusive relatives, Wei Wuxian quickly finds himself spiralling back into his old life when he’s taken away by the cold-hearted, stern, and ultimately quite boring Lan Wangji – who might be harbouring warmer feelings than contempt. Perhaps of the…romantic kind?

But despite his new beginning, Wei Wuxian begins to unravel a decade and a half long mystery that is set to undo the very fabric of the cultivation world as they know it.

A mysterious, action-packed thriller of a ride, this is a journey you won’t want to miss!

Associated Names
One entry per line
Demonic Path Ancestral Master
EL GRAN MAESTRO DE LA CULTIVACIÓN DEMONÍACA
GDC
Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation
Ma Đạo Tổ Sư
MDZS
Mo Dao Zu Shi
Засновник темного шляху
Магистр дьявольского культа
Основатель Тёмного Пути
ปรมาจารย์ลัทธิมาร
陈情令
魔道祖师
魔道祖師
마도조사
Related Series
N/A
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567 Reviews sorted by


Kurtzin
Kurtzin rated it
April 18, 2022
Status: Completed
I am truly disappointed with this novel. When I saw more than 20k readers, my first thought was that this novel must be as interesting as ISSTH, TSCG, ATG and many others real 5 star novels.

I really dont care if this novel is danmei or whatever. What I really care is if the story is interesting or not, and this one is definitely NOT. It's a very common story with a few highlights of a good story.

Anyway, I wouldn't recommend it unless you really want to read something, anything at... more>> al.. <<less
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Summer Fish
Summer Fish rated it
April 5, 2022
Status: Completed
The First BL Novel make me crazy!

At first I dont like BL, but after reading this novel, turn me to Fujoshi (͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

And have a repeated cycles like:

Novel > Anime > Audio Drama > Live Action > Manhua > back to Novel again n again

Never bored at this story.

Very Recommended!
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aniakviii
aniakviii rated it
February 17, 2022
Status: Completed
The plot of mdzs is quite simple, but still solid despite having some minor holes to it. The world building is also well though-out and nice.

What I liked the best about this novel were definitely the side characters (the juniors!!!) and the mystery solving part. Also, the way all arcs are important to the plot is rather impressive considering its length. I would give it four stars if it wasn't for the fact that it was labeled as 'romance'.

I personally think MXTX is an author who writes amazing characters and... more>> is great at portraying relationships between them, which is why I was really disappointed with the way she wrote wangxian. I liked both of them, and I considered them a good match for each other but the way they got together didn't make me invested in the couple at all. They had nice scenes, but to me, the 'romance' part was rather lacking.

While I agree this is an overrated novel, I recommend reading it. It's great, just not as good as the ridiculously high rating suggests <<less
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rina_es99
rina_es99 rated it
January 24, 2022
Status: c113
My first danmei novel. I start reading danmei novel because of this. Storyline very good, solve mystery & solve MC's love story...I'm so happy finally WWX know how LWJ's feeling toward him. I felt so sorry for Nie Huaisang, he lost his DaGe. I just don't understand why Jin Guangyao must kill Nie Mingjue? Everyday is everyday...i still too shocked knowing man of culture like Lan Zhan can said those words.
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UKIYO5
UKIYO5 rated it
January 13, 2022
Status: Completed
I think the fact that this was made into a live action series, became a world wide phenomenon and launched two superstars speaks volumes about the awesomeness of this story. But if there are people who are still skeptical.... please don’t be. This is one of the best in the bl genre. Everything is written exceptionally well. The characters are profound with insightful story arcs. And the lead pair is simply magical..... one of a kind. Definitely a must read.
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pscy
pscy rated it
January 13, 2022
Status: Completed
It took me a couple of times to get past the first chapter but once I did, I loved the story and can understand why it is so popular. All the plot lines are cleverly linked to each other.
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CrossMyHeart
CrossMyHeart rated it
January 6, 2022
Status: Completed
Despite this being a transmigration story, it is incredibly different than the typical transmigration novels around. This is a story about revenge and the romance is just the cherry on top as it is heavy on plot. This romance is not a walk in the park, but it's certainly a HE (but mostly only for the CP). I think that MXTX did an excellent job proving us wrong and creating parallelisms between different characters, ultimately showing how nothing is black and white.

In the first place, Wei Wuxian (MC) is introduced... more>> to us as an evil character and then the rest of the story is spent exploring how he is not evil. Similarly, we are first introduced to Lan Wangji (ML) and think that the CP have an awful relationship, but subsequently see how it was not as it seemed. I think MXTX is an amazing story-teller because we are constantly seeing how things are not what we originally believed. However, if you don't like flashbacks you'll probably get irritated because most of the emotional depth from this story comes from them.

Emotionally, this story has a huge place in my heart. It's pretty difficult for me to cry and I sobbed twice while reading this (not because of the CP). This is also a story I have read 4 times already and I actually cried when I discovered that this was getting an official English license.

Personally, I think this story gets better the more you think about it. This story revealed so much more to me the second time I read it through and could see all the hints that MXTX laid out.

I think that if you're okay with flashbacks, can handle a bit of gore and mystery, you should 100% read this story. Despite being a xianxia novel, this story doesn't heavily rely on it and you can easily make it through with the footnotes left by the translators.

Spoiler

I know that some people are not okay with the extras and believe that there is non-consent, but I don't agree. I think that while there is a lack of communication, this couple is actually quite aware of each other's boundaries and vocalize when that's crossed. I hope that people would give this story a chance if they can

[collapse]
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vincentgray
vincentgray rated it
December 18, 2021
Status: Completed
4 stars for this one

i can see why this is like literally everyone's first danmei or chinese webnovel. I think it has a pretty good amount of chapters in total (compare to other novels). And I also think it has a decently understandable and enjoyable plot. Although I must say that I personally think the flow of the plot/novel was not really the greatest.

the characters are decent (but some of them are still very lovable imo)

BUT I really think that this is genuinely a GOOD read but I have... more>> other favorites and unfortunately, this is not one of them. But would I recommend it to people? Yeah probably

but the donghua on the other hand is really enjoyable to watch. It's one of those series that I usually watch when im feeling bored in the middle of the night with nothing to do. Yeah I can 100% understand why people swear by it being their comfort show haha <<less
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elsololobo
elsololobo rated it
December 13, 2021
Status: --
This was my gateway novel to danmei, and I fell way too deep into the rabbit hole lol I really enjoyed it, I just fell in love with characters, the plot, the world building, wen ning, and everything else. I really fell down the rabbit hole lol however I feel like the writing style and flow was a little bit too confusing for me. Ngl in my opinion some fanfics were written better than the book.

Though it still was a good read tho, I just feel like if I read... more>> this after I had read other greatly written novels I wouldn't have appreciated it as much as I read it as a gateway novel. <<less
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Medeakg
Medeakg rated it
November 25, 2021
Status: Completed
Personally I love the novel more then the drama. If anything I found the drama to be a let down after reading this work but given the constraints of Chinese media I guess it was better than nothing? I do think the animation is a better alternative to the drama as it captures the feel and mood of the novel and its characters
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jinguangyao
jinguangyao rated it
October 23, 2021
Status: c126
Is it even necessary to write this review? All the amazing features of this novel have already been said. I'm going to do it anyways, because I intend on being critical as well. I'm currently on my second reading of MDZS (I've seen most of CQL, all of the donghua and all of the manhua).

  • Themes: 9
  • Representation: 7
  • Writing Quality: 8
  • Enjoyment: 10
  • Character development: 10 (2 for women)
  • Romance: 10
  • Slowburn: 100
  • Angst: 100
First, I would say that the women in this novel are unfortunately poorly written. This has become less of an issue... more>> with TGCF as she has improved a lot, but it is a bit of an eye sore in MDZS. She can not seem to write a three-dimensional female character to save her life. Their character completely depends on how they interact with the men in this story. If they are unable to contribute anything else to the men in the story, they die. I mean really. The death toll for women in this novel is insane. I think maybe three made it to the end? MianMian and the prostit**es are the only ones that come to mind.

Jiang Yanli is sweet, don't get me wrong, but her entire character relies upon being a sister archetype. How can she serve her brothers' character development? How can she provide their moral core? How can her death affect them? In the end, her death was not hers, but her brothers. How sad for them that she died! But what does it truly say about her as a character? Nothing. Not to be rude (because a lot of MDZS stans become incredibly angry if you criticize a character) but she served soup, was a sister archetype, and then died. This is not a three dimensional character. I struggle so much to think of a single complex female character in this novel. There is no excuse for MXTX. She's a woman!

Second, sorry to be an anti, but the r*pe fetish is extremely tasteless. Before the 30 year old pro-ship fandom moms break down my doors screaming "fiction doesn't affect reality!" (it does), I am someone who enjoys dark fiction. For f*cks sake, my favorite novel is Exquisite Corpse. I know how to critically consume media! Fetishizing r*pe is extremely tasteless and disgusting. It doesn't help that this is a gay novel. R*pe and predatory behaviors have been wrongfully associated with gay men for decades. Writing other characters to view them as predatory (everyone in the novel who hates Mo Xuanyu for being "predatory" and "inc*stuous" when he wasn't) and then actually making them into r*pe is just so homophobic it's unreal.

Other than that, I think this novel is generally perfect. It happens to be my favorite MXTX novel, even though TGCF has more quality writing. The themes are beautiful and woven throughout the entire story. Everything foreshadows something in the future (The whirlpool scene foreshadowing how everyone will act during the Guanyin Temple scene) so well. The nonlinear storytelling was an amazing choice for this style of writing and she clearly knows how to use it effectively. Aside from the predatory r*pe fetishism in this novel, I think she wrote a wonderful representation of queerness. Their confession isn't the final point of them understanding their identity. Their "coming out" isn't for anyone but themselves. It's personal, not perfect, and not the final culmination of their identity (as a lot of straight people thing it is). They don't need everyone's approval. They would've confessed without others there anyways. It is just very refreshing to see a gay novel where a confession or coming out is not focused on the straight people's reactions.

Overall, the romance is amazing, representation is generally good, amazing imagery and literary references, great storytelling and use of foreshadowing, etc. It's a truly amazing novel that should be consumed critically. Authors are not gods, they are not impervious to criticism. Keep that in mind when you read MXTX novels, and cnovels in general. <<less
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SamMoonRyong
SamMoonRyong
September 18, 2021
Status: c113
Hetero Male here... definitely hetero.

let me put it out there, I didnt really enjoy the story.. I watched the anime and I liked the concept of it... most the past arc... but after the past arc the rest of the story is more or less just utter fanservice. The only character that felt real in this novel was jiang cheng. The novel definitely ruined the anime for me and god beware it was just a hassle to read the last 40 chapters. 3/5 because the part arcs were the prime... more>> of the show <<less
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Dasha_k
Dasha_k
September 17, 2021
Status: extra 13
Once I had finished reading this book a couple of years ago I couldn't move on.

WWX is my favourite MC, he made the coices I would've made and is a bigger person than I could ever be. He was able to forgive people who deserved a beating like JC. He never tried to understand this step brother of his who was like by almost everyone, be it jealousy or ignorance his actions were egoistic to the extrime at times.

Back to WWX, some would say being a demonic cultivator was something... more>> he broufgt upon himself. I partially agree, it was a choice forced by the events that he consciuosly made; which is why he never blamed it on JC, but it wasn-t something he was obliged to do. I could write an essay on WWX and LWJ, so probably I should stop here.

LWJ is maybe my second favourite ML, he was a complex character to understand because he rarely speaks his mind; the only one who can "read " his mind is LXC. His biggest and I dare say only regret was not having been able to save WWX, he spent more than a decade in sorrow for the love he lost and never once did he blame him.

Just give it a try and you won't regret it, the first four or so chapters might be a bit confusing, with all the new information, but it's really worth it. <<less
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sorchak
sorchak rated it
August 9, 2021
Status: Completed
i don't think words could describe how good this novel is, from the plot, to the characters, to the romance. Every part of it feels lovingly crafted by an author who had a clear idea of a character and their story, and there's really nothing better than to read a story written by someone who also clearly loves what they're writing.

mdzs is a mystery novel that follows the perspective of the recently resurrected protagonist, wei wuxian; who is know in the centre of a supernatural mu*der mystery that might be... more>> connected to his own downfall in his first life. Things get more complicated when main love interest, lan wangji, an old acquaintance of wei wuxian's who is known for his upright attitude and and hatred for anything unorthodox. Together, they spend the majority of the novel travelling around the country to try and cast light onto the dark secrets of the cultivation world, all while getting closer to each other.

though the plot is extremely well written and satisfying to read, I personally believe that at its core, mdzs is a character novel. Mxtx has created two characters with such an incredibly compelling growth arc and romantic development that I can't imagine anyone who's read this story not falling in love with the love between wei wuxian and lan wangji. Mxtx truly crafted these two characters to match each other perfectly and you see if in every scene between the two of them.

wei wuxian makes for an incredibly fun and engaging narrator, who has already seen it all and is rather unconcerned with the circumstance he seems to find himself in. He's both relatable and completely unbelievable, with a down to earth personality but the brain and skills of a genius. Lan wangji matches him in morals and skill but couldn't be more different in personality and it makes reading their interactions together even more of a treat. <<less
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CarmenLongo
CarmenLongo rated it
July 31, 2021
Status: Completed
My first novel Danmei.

A great story. Sad at times and shocking at others. I love Wei Ying, my favorite character.
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sirenjamin
sirenjamin rated it
July 19, 2021
Status: Completed
This is not really a review but an appreciation.

The Untamed brought me here... my first BL novel :) after this I've ventured to other BL novels - historical, modern, rebirth, e-sport, entertainment... I think almost all of high ranking/ famous, completely translated novel already passed my eyes, so this one is really special to me.

MXTX is a great storyteller.

Thanks to the translation team for doing a good job. My first danmei novel is remarkable that I craved for more and more.
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OldAstronomer
OldAstronomer rated it
June 21, 2021
Status: Completed
Low and Behold! For I have sunken into the danmei hole and this franchise is what started it all. Well I'll be honest I came here after I came across Untamed. I'll tell you I love it to pieces. The drama, the novel, the animation, the fanart, everything is just art. I guess I love TGCF more but the power dynamics between the lead characters is better here. The side characters are just as intriguing. Trust me when I tell you that it will get you addicted to the point... more>> that you will not be able to retrieve yourself back. <<less
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heylalaa
heylalaa rated it
May 13, 2021
Status: c126
this was my first introduction to danmei, and I gotta say that it was a one hell of an introduction.

what I like:

    • it contains of several mystery cases that the MC and ML need to solved. And then, we'll see how all mysteries that they'd solved connected to each other and finally led them to the final boss.
    • the interesting dynamic between all characters, how they're all not superficial and have different layers in all of them. I especially love the relationship dynamic between WWX and JC!
    • how most of the characters are not exactly a 'good' or 'bad' person, even the main antagonist (imo), that all of their actions or judgments have reason and it's up to us to decide whether we want to agree with them or not.
    • the main character! Oh, how I love WWX. An annoying gremlin who jokes and plays around but has a tragic/sad past and solemn moments here and there? Yup, he goes straight to my collection of fav charas.
    • how it took 13+ years and several cases for WWX and LWJ to finally understand that they love each other lol.
what I don't like:

    • how WWX and LWJ just suddenly had this kind of attraction to each other right from the first time they meet (even tho they didn't really understand it at first and thus made them 'hated' each other).
    • the cultivation parts in this danmei are left unexplored and sometimes they're kinda hand-waved.
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hereforthebl
hereforthebl rated it
May 2, 2021
Status: Completed
My very first Chinese novel. This will always be one of my favourites and one of the best. You'll never regret or forget reading this. Will always have a special place in your heart. You will never move on.

I also would like to recommend the drama ver., the manhua ver., and the donghua ver..
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rewzy03
rewzy03 rated it
April 10, 2021
Status: Completed
One of the best BL novel there is. I never thought I would stumble upon this work of art. Highly recommended. I can’t still move on. I love all the characters. All chapters are worth the read. Not one bit is skippable. The story line is well thought. The flashbacks are quite long but it doesn’t matter.
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